Will Manchester United Sell for Less Than £6 Billion?

Last week, public bidders Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, and Thomas Zilliacus lodged revised bids to buy Manchester United. However, sources have told ESPN that their offers fell short of the Glazer family’s £6 billion valuation for the club. Despite this setback, there is still hope that a buyout can happen.

According to ESPN sources, Sheikh Jassim and Ratcliffe increased their bids to around £4.5 billion, but the offers are still below the asking price. Nonetheless, the Glazers might still accept a compromise fee to allow a takeover to go through.

The next stage of the sale process is uncertain, with bidders waiting to hear from the U.S. bank Raine Group, which is working with the Glazers. Raine could invite a third round of offers or name a preferred bidder. United staff have been told to expect “clarity” on the ownership situation by the end of the season.

The Impact of a Buyout on Manchester United

If a buyout does happen, the new owners might want to make significant changes to the club’s structure. This could jeopardize the next phase of Erik ten Hag’s rebuild. Sources have pointed to the disruption caused by Todd Boehly’s takeover at Chelsea, which included replacing manager Thomas Tuchel just four months after the buyout was completed.

Ten Hag has worked well with football director John Murtough and his team since being appointed manager last summer, winning the Carabao Cup in his first season in charge. He’s keen to build on this progress by strengthening his squad with new signings, including a top-class striker, ahead of the next season. Ten Hag hopes to have these signings complete before the preseason tour of the United States, which begins in July.

The Future of Manchester United

Despite the potential changes that a buyout could bring, it’s still “business as usual” at Manchester United. However, there is an acceptance that the ownership situation may impact contract extensions for key players, including Marcus Rashford, and the summer transfer window. Nonetheless, United fans will be eager for a resolution to the ownership uncertainty by the end of the season as they look to the future of their beloved club.

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